Energy Audit: How it Maximizes Energy Savings

Date Published: October 25th, 2024

Written by: Vania Dian Gunawan, edited by Charlene Octavian

An energy audit involves assessing a building’s energy systems to identify ways to improve efficiency and reduce energy use. The goal is to lower energy consumption and costs while minimizing environmental impact. The audit typically covers building structure, ventilation, heating, and lighting. It’s also recommended before installing renewable energy systems to ensure optimal performance. An energy auditor or advisor usually conducts the audit.

An energy audit can be conducted by individuals or teams, either internal or external, such as energy consultants or service companies. Auditors must collaborate with relevant internal personnel and have the required education, experience, and training, following standards like ASHRAE or ISO 50002. They need to understand both national and international auditing standards, possess technical expertise related to the audited energy uses, and be familiar with measurement tools such as an anemometer, thermo-hygrometer, and AC/DC digital clamp meter.

The Main Goals of an Energy Audit

An energy audit aims to achieve several key objectives, including:

1. Identify and Assess Inefficient Energy Consumption:

An energy audit helps companies pinpoint areas where energy use is inefficient by evaluating the efficiency of existing equipment, systems, and practices, and ensuring compliance with relevant energy standards and regulations.

2. Analyze and Provide Recommendations for Energy Efficiency Improvements:

The audit measures and analyzes current energy consumption patterns, serving as the foundation for making concrete recommendations to enhance energy use efficiency.

3. Increase Awareness of Environmental Sustainability:

The audit also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions.

Types of Energy Audit

There are 3 types of energy audits, and this guideline provides a structured approach to conducting them, based on the following standards: ISO 50002 (Energy Audits – Requirements with Guidance for Use), ISO 50001 (Energy Management Systems – Measurement and Verification of Energy Performance of Organizations – General Principles and Guidance), and ASHRAE, Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits.

Level 1 – Walk-Through Energy Audit:

this audit assesses a building’s energy performance by analyzing historical energy data and conducting a walk-through inspection. It provides an overview of energy use trends and potential savings using industry benchmarks, highlighting no cost or low-cost opportunities with payback periods of up to 2 years.

Level 2 – Detailed Energy Audit:

This audit involves a detailed analysis of energy use by examining equipment, systems, and operational data. It includes reviewing historical energy data, equipment specifications, and consumption patterns, with possible on-site measurements but no additional monitoring equipment. The energy auditor assesses energy conservation measures and provides a financial analysis of recommended improvements.

Level 3 – Advanced Energy Audit (Large Facility):

This audit focuses on specific subsystems, such as HVAC, building management systems, compressed air, or lighting rather than the whole building. They involve detailed data gathering and on-site measurements over a period to capture various operating conditions and variables, providing a higher level of accuracy for quantifying energy savings compared to Level 2 audits.

Steps to Performing Energy Audit

Pre-Audit Activities

Energy Audit Planning:

Effective energy audit planning involves defining the scope and objectives of the audit. Eco-Mantra’s energy audit services combine Level 2 and Level 3 audits, applicable to commercial, residential, or industrial buildings. This comprehensive approach involves a thorough scope of work (SOW). SOW includes: Conducting a preliminary energy-use analysis (PEA), a walk-through survey, measurement or monitoring of the targeted area, etc.

Opening Meeting & Data Collection:

During the opening meeting, the energy auditor will outline the audit’s objectives, scope, boundaries, methods, and team members. They will then gather and organize relevant data, including details on energy-consuming equipment, specifications, historical consumption, and maintenance documents. This also involves collecting as-built drawings, previous energy studies, and building energy tariffs to align with the audit’s objectives

Measurement Plan:

On-site data measurement plans may be adjusted based on findings during the audit, so the energy auditor and client must agree on the final plan. This plan should include the targeted measurement points, the measuring equipment to be used, and the associated measurement processes.

During the Audit

Conducting the Site Visit:

During the site visit, the energy audit team should be assisted by knowledgeable personnel, especially from Operations & Maintenance (O&M) staff. The auditor should gather key information from the O&M staff, including access to relevant data, O&M schedules, and historical issues with energy systems. Additionally, the auditor will observe and evaluate energy use in air conditioning, clean water pump systems, hot water systems, pool pump systems, and other pump systems.

Post Audit

An analysis and energy audit report will be prepared to assess energy efficiency, identify savings opportunities, provide specific recommendations, and outline an improvement plan. A closing meeting will also be conducted.

Benefits of Energy Audits: Energy Savings

Energy audits are worth doing to achieve significant energy savings with potential reductions in energy bills from 5-30%. The audit results in recommendations to improve energy efficiency whether through equipment replacement, system upgrades, changes in habits, or adopting more efficient technologies. These changes not only lead to energy savings and lower carbon emissions but also can be used to obtain certifications, including:

Green Building Certificate: Issued by the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) for buildings that meet certain standards in energy efficiency, water management, eco-friendly building materials, and other sustainable construction practices.

ISO 50001 Energy Management System (EMS) Certification: This international standard confirms that an organization has established an effective and sustainable energy management system.

Conclusion

Energy audits are essential for improving building efficiency, cutting costs, and minimizing environmental impact. They identify inefficiencies, analyze usage patterns, and provide recommendations for enhancement.

Eco-Mantra, an environmental engineering consultancy, specializes in reducing the ecological footprint of properties while ensuring occupant comfort. We’ve successfully conducted energy audits for Waterbom Bali and Potato Head Bali, along with other sustainability initiatives, and have been successful in helping them achieve significant savings. Explore more about Eco-Mantra’s work here.